Went in to check out if they are hosting a magic pre release event - as soon as I walked in I assumed "no" because there was no table or countertop without moving boxes or trash on it so where would people play? The owner comes up and I ask if he hosts magic, he then rants at me for 20 straight minutes about drama he has with toxic players and no one shows up anymore because of it. I don't get a word in, he plows full steam ahead intensely staring at me as he works himself into a frenzy describing how everyone is against him and his store is suffering due to anything but what I am experiencing in this moment - a delusional small business owner who is his own worst enemy. I don't mind clubhouse vibes and really enjoy small LGS's (shout out imperial games) but this was like nothing I've ever experienced. He had to have a trust fund or something keeping this going, I won't ever go back. read more

Ok, so we read the reviews before coming here and ran to my car in excitement to see the shit show, and we were not disappointed! The owner was sleeping, it smelled like shit and mildewy balls, and there was trash and moving boxes everywhere. We didnt even know if the other half of the store was open because of all the shit blocking it. There is a sign saying there is an "internet cafe" inside, but there is so much trash i cannot see it. The guy bragged that he had the largest supply of pokemon cards, but its nothing crazy. When he moved i had to leave the store because the stench that came off him was horrific. While checking me out he bragged that he was faster than the machine. Last time we came to this place, the door was locked with the open sign on, but luckily today he was feeling a little energetic and bothered to leave it propped open. We gave two stars because we got what we came for: a shit show and Pokémon cards. The extra star is because he did have inventory, which comes to no surprise because he is a lunatic and nobody wants to shop there, and that deserves some respect. He was for sure giving angry, and treated us like we werent gonna buy anything, but we did leave with full pockets and a fear that the stench may cling to us. read more

I don't even know where to start. When you enter, you can only walk through the narrow aisle to the back. The rest of the store is stacked with moving boxes and miscellaneous and super messy. They have a stock of games and products, yes, but they're stacked in ways that you can't see the titles. There are no prices on anything--the owner was actively looking up market prices when we were trying to buy things. It's a mess! Oh, and the best part: a few moments after we walked in, the owner immediately started ranting to us about how he's suing Yelp and Google over reviews, his legal woes, how he provides the best customer service, how this is the best game store in San Diego, putting down other local game stores, etc. Totally unprompted. Not even a "Hello, can I help you with anything?". We could hardly get a word in to ask to see some games in display cases and get prices on things. Made us very uncomfortable and we're never going to patronize this store again. read more

Came here during store hours (12:13pm) and it's closed. The sign on the door says open everyday at 11:30am.... Obviously not. Tried calling, no answer. Please update your business hours. read more

We liked the shop and the owner. He knows his stuff. Will be coming back. Not sure why the bad ratings.

Great place for MTG Singles. This guy has everything and pulls your cards immediately

STANK. Owner cries about being the victim of everyone in the world, but has admitted he keeps fake and damaged games in the supply and sells them as the real thing at prices that have gone up and up and up regardless of the actual market. Buddy and I had a hell of a time finding a working copy of Zombies Ate My Neighbors, a common SNES game, and when we finally got them to give us a working copy, the class act kept talking about how much the game made him want to ejaculate. Made us really uncomfortable. We kept coming back again and again because we had a close friend from work who billed it as this chill place his friend owned that was working hard to preserve a space for gamers in the middle of town. And it was so hard to find a lot of good SNES and Genesis games back in the Obama era. Once we figured out Luna existed there was no point. Yes Luna has just a really good selection from each major console, not a massive number of carts and discs, but they are actually the games they claim to be, they work or can be exchanged without the hassle, and they're not kept in a dank box of ass. And nowadays the remaster trend and all the reappraisal of the 80s/90s/Y2K has juiced the hell out of the retro markets, not to mention the new machines now that play retro media to keep prices lower. Luna doesn't always beat ebay but this place never does. For all the friend circles that overlap in this place, it's a special thing and it's honestly sad that they keep treating people like this because a ton of the people they've ripped off or offended were a close friend of a close friend and we all wanted to believe in what we used to think the world was going to be. It's a lot of special people and we've all been through a lot with the local drug culture and narcissistic career world in this region just like the friends of the owner who have posted lies about how great it is. This should be a place to rave about because the games are supposed to be good clean honest fun. Instead you've got a family straight out of a cheugy mascot horror and the rings of friends extending to east county that are passing around the same stank ass WW1 trench parasites for years and years now. We met the owner's friend working at parkway plaza back in the day when we were going to grossmont and lived in la mesa, and honestly this shop most reminds me of the hoarder house some other guy from grossmont tried to show me and my girlfriend around the same time. Different social circles, different level of seriousness around game collection, same filth and disease and attitude of entitlement with control issues and ego problems, and a depressing situation for a family to be growing up in. Game Rave is a lesson in the meaning of friendship, isn't it? Sometimes your friends are going through a tough time carving out a space for pure honest fun that's affordable to access lan and internet. But if your friends are bullying you into accepting dangerous conditions, spoiled product, illegal lemon sales, and downright presidential smells- seriously, look up how our president in 2025 has always smelled even in the apprentice days because entitled men don't think other people's health and safety around them matters- then it's not a coincidence they're struggling to keep their hardware up to date and cops and judges are all the way down their throat. Sometimes we have just messed up in this world and need to admit what we did and start over with a humble attitude instead of this nasty resentment and martyr complex we love to do in sd. If you feel the need to defend this place, I honestly get it. Raising kids is hard and here they can find that rare playing card or the games you grew up on, and hey they even let your kids crash there so you can get some much needed rest in this crazy world. I'd fight for anyone like that too, except if you know anything about video games of any era since 1985 you can eventually figure out this place's existence is actually worse for the game preservation movement. Games should not have to go here. People should not have to go here. I remember when we had to stoop to places like this but for all the ways the world has gotten worse, we really don't need to accept Game Rave anymore. Keep telling your stories about this place. We tend to think of our hobby as this geeky little thing because it used to make us a little weird and it was hard to convince our parents to buy computers and systems and carts and disks and live service and video card upgrades. But we were not the victims of the 90s you guys. The actual victims and martyrs are dead. The rest of us need to be honest with each other instead of having an excuse for everything being a ripoff and conditions being substandard. read more

Crazy good selection and super nice owner. They had all the Pokemon you could dream of. My only negative is the place was really messy and that made me feel a little reticent to venture in very far, I wasn't sure where I was allowed to go! read more

Absolute sh*tshow unless your favorite video game genre is dungeon crawlers, because you're going to feel like you're crawling through a dungeon getting to the back of the room where the dusty assortment of overpriced Gamecube games are. If you're unfortunate enough to see something you might want, the gross man who owns the place will look up how much it should cost on his phone right in front of you. Then, he'll charge you ten dollars more than regular price if he thinks you're a sucker (pro tip: he does 100%). After that, he'll have to go unlock the door for you because he locked it behind you when you came in. Why? No one knows. But we do know it's really, really weird. Maybe stop doing that? read more

Game Rave is the dive-ist of dive retro video game stores. It was a complete mess and its selection of games were terrible. The placed was locked even though a sign said open and the owner had no prices on anything. Not sure how this place stays in buisness with such bad merchandise and terrible presentation experience. read more

Dank place with the employee who helped me, he had a bad attitude and his pricing was inflated. I'd rather buy online personally

Overpriced items and a nasty attitude. I would recommend looking elsewhere for retro games.

Bro will pull his phone out in your face, and proceed to search up any item you are looking to buy so that he can up charge you, sometimes double what the item costs online. All of the inventory very obviously have had the price stickers ripped off so he can charge whatever he wants at check out. Don't waste your money here. Stores dirty and half the time it won't even be open. read more

Store owner states that San Diego doesn't deserve this store... I agree, we deserve better. I came to buy 1 ds game which quickly turned into a nightmare when he started yapping non-stop about how he runs his store and why his prices are marked up to the moon saying that his store is the best and if you buy somewhere else he will call you a "Dumb American" indirectly insulting you straight to your face. He kept us hostage for over an hour yapping about his life not giving us any chance to reply or say something so we could leave. I found the same ds game 30 dollars cheaper at gamestop. DONT EVER STEP INSIDE this hell hole. Literally the worst buying experience I've had in my whole 25 years of living. (GIRLS STAY AWAY, HE'S A CREEP) read more

Great selection of Pokémon including lots of brand new packs and singles! My son loves to come here and chat with the owner about cards. His family is often here and very sweet. read more

Game Rave - Checking out Pokémon - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - San Diego, California

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Need to get more personable staff. Came to the store with the door locked, called the number and when I asked if they were open I was laughed at "well yea the sign says open".... When I was finally let in, I wanted to look at some Pokémon cards. I mentioned I was interested in actually playing the game, I was again scoffed at by the worker who went on to bad mouth and talk essentially how much the game sucks. The store was pretty disorganized, but even that would not have been a big deal if the staff member didn't offer a horrible experience. I usually have lots of respect for LGS but have never felt so unwelcome to an establishment. A little kindness would go a long way to bringing repeat customers. Can't say I'll be one given my first impression. Best of luck. read more

Great stock and got a little lesson out of it too . He was good he was good and the value was good and the service was good read more

Id give this place a 0 or a negative infinity star rating if possible. I didn't realize until it was too late, but this store would be in Wondercon/SDCC and i would remember this business being so stingy with their wares along with the grouchy owner (?). Door was locked despite being "open" for the day, a worker was smoking nearby and opened the door with the key and inmediately locked it again with me inside. All the products inside are piled up with no organization. Cant even browse pokemon cards without the grimy owner looking at you like a thief, oh and he probably makes up the prjce on the spot by looking at the highest price on ebay/tcgplayer Avoid like the plague 0/10 read more

Went to check out the selection of MTG bundles, because the first time they weren't even open. Upon entering the store, it's indeed very messy and unorganized, but the selection was seemingly good and fair priced (for the bundles, specifically. Everything else was definitely up charged). I had to wait around for about 30 minutes before getting prices because the owner wasn't even there, and when he arrived my group was bombarded with ranting and slandering of the other LGS. He proceeded to tell us about being "a master thief" and how he can open packs without us even knowing, but would never. Even with all these red flags, I stupidly purchased my bundles and to my not-so-much of a suprise, the bundles are tampered with. The tamper seals were pretty clearly re-adhered and the heatshrink was reapplied. This was noticed after I already left and started opening my packs. This store will steal your money, and the owner will tell you how he did it right to your face. Don't take the chance like I did, and do not give this shady business your money like the other unfortunate ones in the reviews. read more

Called looking for a copy of FFIX for PS1. The dude seemed irritated that he had to get up and check what they had. Said they have it, I asked how much, and he said "oh that'll take several minutes to figure out..." "Okaaaay" Went in, because it's nearby, it seemed like a chore for this dude to get up out of his chair and come help me with what I wanted. He picks up the phone to get a price on the games. $129 for Greatest Hits edition, $179 for original release. FYI, multiple copies on eBay and Amazon for well under $30 including shipping. Not a chance. Now that I've actually read the other reviews, I can't believe I wasted my time coming in. Go up towards Miramar College and stop at Calico Games. I got what I was looking for at $20. By far the better option. read more

Game Rave - A fine example of Calico Games not ripping you off. - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - San Diego, California

Over priced! Dirty but the customer service was good. Cashier was kind but had to text and ask his boss how much everything was selections was slim as well and again over priced. read more

Wow, this place has a lot of games and accessories for different systems, but get ready to pay premium prices for them! If I was the owner, I'd start looking at the competition and readjust the pricing (especially on stinkers/sub-par titles) or rename the place to "Game Collector". The funniest or unfortunate (take your pick) thing about this place is how the guy behind the counter, discouraged a couple who were asking about the prices for the used Genesis/SNES games. His reply? $50 for all the games! Mind you, the games I saw, weren't exactly in good shape, not even worth the price he was asking. Aside from the pricing issue, another thing that caught my attention was how 85% of the store looked trashed and disorganized. It's as if the place is going through a reorganization or recently opened, but I hear/read it's been around for years? read more

Horrible and Miserable sellers!!! Overpriced. Ran into them at Comic Con and they were not only rude and sooooo overpriced! The guy working the booth needs help! There are so many other vendors that have better stuff and so great to buy from, do not buy from these losers!!! read more

Game Rave - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - San Diego, California

Overpriced, takes long to enter because the door is always locked. Price fluctuated from 100 to 30. Actually ass store.

That was probably the worst store I've ever been to. I wish I had read these reviews first. It is exactly as bad as the reviews say it is. Ill keep it short, this man talked our ear off for an hour without actually helping, everything is marked up like crazy and, it really bothered me that he locked us in. I assume it's to make sure we can't steal anything but wtf...I'm happy he told us he's closing his shop because "San Diego doesn't deserve this store" Avoid at all costs read more

"Are you looking for something specific." No browsing in store. Extra rude on the two occasions I contacted them. I'd be more afraid of closing down than the pandemics this point. Don't waste your time here. read more

Place is so weird from the start. On top of being disorganized and cluttered you have to wait for them to unlock the door and then they proceed to lock the door behind you with a key. I got super creep vibes from the start from the only worker there and he wouldn't acknowledge or say anything in response to me. Very bizarre experience. Wouldn't recommend giving them business read more

Absolutely horrific experience..figured out the owner lived in the store by the smell of literal vomit and onions and the entire clutter around the store..had to wait to let the owner let us in which was really weird...he then tried to explain himself as to why he keeps the door locked and used profound language total creep!!Had his wife and kids in the store with him and a baby having his kids work for him and unload boxes absolutely disgusting family being that they let their house reak like that...had to come back and write this review because of how terrible my experience was..don't even know how he's even open genuinely pointless store. Wife writes a pre made response on yelp to make it look as if the bad reviews are fake a condescending but THEYRE NOT...ITS TRUE..tbh if you see this review go in and see for yourself you won't last more 2 minutes with that stench and hostile environment... read more

I really wanted to like this place and was willing to wait outside in the hopes to purchase some cards from a local business. Guess how long I was outside for? 30 FUCKING MINUTES. You're better off going to Comics-N-Stuff I promise the prices are better there too. read more

There's not much to say because I am here sitting in my car when they are suppose to be open already. I even gave them a phone call and a rude guy picked up and said their hours are from 11:30-8pm. It's definitely pass 11:30 and still the shop is not open. I'm super disappointed because I drove all the way here and wait for another 30 mins. And it is still not open. I get it if they were close due to Covid but SOMEONE ANSWERED MY CALL AND SAID THEY ARE OPEN. Not even worth coming here cause one you are going to encounter rude people and two you probably won't be able to go inside cause they don't even open their doors when they say they do :). Here's a photo I took while I was waiting and with the time. Yes it says 11:33 but I waited til 12 and the shop was still not open. Anyways, go somewhere else. read more

Game Rave - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - San Diego, California

place is a disaster and the employee walks around constantly like you are in his way. Smells horrible and I would have liked to look at the pokemon cards but it's so disorganized that you can hardly see anything in there. Maybe if they cleaned up the business they'd sell a lot more merchandise. read more

DO NOT GO HERE!!! TLDR: The place is FILTHY. Trash EVERYWHERE. claustrophobic. OVERPRICED 90%. The owner is a CREEP and NOT WOMEN FRIENDLY Here's what happened: Me and 5 other friends had head off in search of a certified MagicTheGathering store and we saw this store and their website. It seemed pretty solid. Right when we walked in, none of us could fit without touching backs and shoulders. The entryway is NARROW. After we all walked in, he locked the door behind us to ensure the Covid polices (fair but a little extreme). He had plenty of cards and displays in the entryway, however he also had trash EVERYWHERE. There was a empty funions chips bag and a empty soda just sitting on the counter that got over products. This wasn't the only instance of that though, everywhere we looked there was junk food trash on the counters, behind them, and on the floor. He let us explore the store, but we couldn't really do that as there was so MANY boxes filled with products in the main area of the store, practically un-walkable. He kept boasting about how they were all from a convention for 20 mins. Still it was quite claustrophobic. We have a girl in our friendship and he would not stop talking to her and let her breathe. He even said at one point "So who's girlfriend is this" when she was the one to even bring us here. He wouldn't stop talking about his statues boobs were huge while talking to her. It made her uncomfortable. Moreover, he would not SHUT UP. He just kept talking about himself and not what we were in there for. He locked the door so we couldn't even ask him to leave until he would shut up after an HOUR. We were being nice but our entire group was uncomfortable. We ended up leaving after he said even more disturbing comments. Once we left we checked the stores website and man everything is OVERPRICED. He's not shy about it either, he literally checked to see what price he should give us for buying some magic stuff. Like what the hell man. If you're looking for Magic stuff, go to Brute Force in North Park instead. A much nicer and inclusive environment than this CREEP of an OWNER. Awful experience, especially for first time magic players. P.S. he has this dude working there or something who would not stop staring at us. I think he's a friend the owner but why did he stare at us so much? read more

"It can't be that bad, can it?" That was going through my head when I read the reviews en route to Game Rave. They're all true. The place was that bad. The selection was fine, I guess. But, that's where the fun stops. The facility was a pigpen. It was dusty, grimy, filthy, putrid, and unkept. The owner? His appearance and personality matched his store. Hair inspired by a dirty mop. Cargo pants from the early aughts that haven't seen a washer in years. Worst of all? He was barefoot. He was walking around his dirty store without shoes. Clearly, he doesn't love himself. There were also the smells. My gods, the SMELLS. And, that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Remember that selection of games I mentioned? Everything was over priced. My biggest takeaway was his asking price for Legend of Alon D'ar. 30 bucks. One of the worst RPGs on the PS2 that goes for the price of a damn burrito everywhere else, and dude-buddy wanted 30 bucks? Did I mention he had to look up this price on his phone since none of his merch was priced? While all of this was going on, a collection of *ahem* unique individuals were hanging out in the back area playing video games and shouting loud profanities. I left without purchasing anything. As we were leaving, two potential customers entered the store with fountain drinks. The owner told him they couldn't bring those in because they might spill on his merchandise. The irony was not lost on me. The interesting part was that I had a drink with me, too. So, yes. It's that bad. It's a miracle that the place is still in business. read more